When educators and students work together consensually, without restrictions of mandatory curricula and testing, we can observe natural patterns of learning. If this describes you, please help with the article I write by answering short questions about learning multiplication below. You can contact Dr. Maria Droujkova, maria at naturalmath.com, for more information.
What I suspect happens: when kids have a choice, they fall into one of three groups.
Mathy kids who love number crunching and Olympiad-style problems memorize multiplication tables early, and use number patterns to do it quickly
Sequential kids without memory issues whose families follow somewhat conventional learning paths memorize multiplication tables in their tween years, using verbal recitation, mnemonics and computer drill games
"Poets and artists," kids who prefer visual and spatial work, and those who delay formal studies learn times tables in early teens, relatively quickly
There may be other groups and patterns. I need more information to find out! Different tools help on different paths. This study will help choose the path, and then find the tools.
Multiplication Study July 2010 Version
When educators and students work together consensually, without restrictions of mandatory curricula and testing, we can observe natural patterns of learning. If this describes you, please help with the article I write by answering short questions about learning multiplication below. You can contact Dr. Maria Droujkova, maria at naturalmath.com, for more information.
What I suspect happens: when kids have a choice, they fall into one of three groups.
There may be other groups and patterns. I need more information to find out! Different tools help on different paths. This study will help choose the path, and then find the tools.